Where do we find mercy?
Blind, crippled, and paralyzed - all lined up, neatly tucked away, just waiting. The sheep gate was the first gate rebuilt when Nehemiah set about the work of rebuilding Jerusalem. This gate had the unique purpose of being the "entry point" for the sacrifices which would be offered at the Temple in Jerusalem. Now, don't you find it a little interesting that the blind, crippled, and paralyzed were lined up along the pathway of "sacrifice"? I had never really connected the two before, but it struck me this morning - these people were waiting for their healing along the pathway of sacrifice! Blind - those without sight, plunged into darkness, or at least the haziness and blur of vision. Crippled - those who lived with some condition making them less than perfect. Paralyzed - those unable to make a move on their own, debilitated by that which consumed them. All lined up neatly, tucked away in their alcoves, waiting. I hadn't see that before ...